LINEAR DIGITAL-ANALOG INTERACTIVE WRISTWATCH

Abstract: A wristwatch linear time display (32) is disclosed which can be read at a glance and requires very little display space. Additional functions are described which use the remaining surplus display space. These functions substantially increase the usefulness of wristwatches. Devices for the wearer to interact with the added functions are disclosed. The compact time display (32) may be located where it can be seen without turning a wrist. It may also be combined with other temporal displays to improve display clarity by eliminating clutter.

Description: LINEAR DIGITAL-ANALOG INTERACTIVE WRISTWATCH Background of the Invention This invention relates to wristwatch display of information providing the time, display showing other than the time, and the interaction of the wearer with the displays unrelated to time. Conventional analog watches with hands can be read at a glance if accuracy is not desired. Conventional digital watches provide accuracy but do not graphically show the current moment's position in the time span. Watches with both analog and digital displays require the wearer to ignore the digital display when glancing and observe both displays when accuracy is desired. Analog watches with hands use almost all of the display space available. Adding other displays to them substantially detracts from their clarity and aesthetic appeal. Digital watches with multiple displays are cluttered. They have lost favor primarily because they do not have a "read at a glance" graphic display and their display does not have the aesthetic appeal that analog display has. Objects and Advantages of the Invention It is the general object of this invention to make it possible to add useful functions to wristwatches. This has been done by improving the time display and decreasing the space required to display it. This improved compact time display is the prerequisite for the following objectives: 1. To provide display space for games and other amusements that present random action that the wearer can interact with. 2. To provide display space for data and data processing. 3. To provide an interactive control keyboard that fits within the limited space available on a wristwatch with a large display. 4. To provide a time display that the wearer can see from both the back and side of the wrist and read at a glance. 5. To provide additional temporal displays alongside the basic time display in an uncluttered and easily read arrangement that is aesthetically pleasing. These objects substantially increase the services a wristwatch supplies to the wearer in addition to simplifying the reading of time. Further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. Summary The simple idea of displaying an indicator that traverses a linear path each hour, and thereby shows the time remaining in the hour at a glance, provides the opportunity to increase the usefulness of wristwatches. A digital hour and minute display in line with the linear hour traverse display supplies accuracy in the smallest possible space. The indicator that traverses a short linear path each hour is totally inadequate for reading the time in minutes. Its function is to alert the wearer, with a glance, to the fact that the hour is running out, or that there is a lot of time left in the hour. The hour and minute digits provide the time. There is no other time display like it. This compact linear time display can be located along one side of the display surface or on the periphery of the watchcase. It can be seen by the wearer without turning a wrist if it located on the periphery facing the wearer. With the time display on the periphery the conventional display surface is vacant and available for other displays. The compact size of the linear time display makes it possible to provide practical wearer watch interaction since the display and keyboard space required for it is available. Some of the functions that can be added are: Entertainment - games, aphorisms, epigrams, maxims, quips. Business and technology - data display and storage, computing. Travel - dictionaries, schedules, names, exchange rates. Random action displays with provision for the wearer to interact with them are possible. Watchband data storage and a receptacle to connect with external stores are shown. Brief description of the drawings This invention will be described in more detail by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a plan view of the simplest embodiment of a linear digital-analog wristwatch. Fig. 2 is a plan view of an uncluttered multiple display embodiment of a linear digital-analog wristwatch. Fig. 3 is a plan view of a multiple function display embodiment of a linear digital-analog interactive wristwatch. Fig. 4 is a side view of the watch of Fig. 3 showing one longitudinal edge of the linear time display 32 raised up. Fig. 5 is the wearer's view of the watch of Fig. 3 without turning a wrist. Fig. 6 is a plan view of a mechanical wristwatch embodiment of a linear digital-analog wristwatch. Fig. 7 is a side view of the watch of Fig. 6 showing the linear time display 32 on the periphery facing the wearer. One of the watchband's retaining brackets is partially deleted for clarity. Fig. 8 is the wearer's view of the watch of Fig. 6 with the wrist unturned. Fig. 9 is a plan view of the preferred embodiment of a linear digital-analog interactive wristwatch. Fig. 10 is a side view of the watch of Fig. 9 showing a side cutout view of the keyboard keys 36, watchband storage 44, and a receptacle 42 for connection to external data and energy storage. Fig. 11A is an enlarged side view and Fig. 11B a wearer's view of the keys of the watch of Fig. 10. Fig. 12 is the wearer's view of the watch of Fig. 9 with the wrist unturned. Reference Numerals in Drawings 14 Analog hour progress indicator 16 Minute digits 18 Hour digits 20 Day name 22 Day number 24 Month 26 Watchband 28 Nontemporal display 30 Random display 32 Linear time display 34 Display screen 36 Key 38 Keyboard 40 Mode key 42 External connector receptacle 44 Watchband storage 46 Minute index mark 48 Temporal display 50 Key identification 52 Interactive wearer watch control key 54 Cover Description Fig. 1 is a plan view of the simplest of the embodiments showing the digital time display in line with the analog hour progress display. The analog hour progress indicator 14 is close to the end of its traverse from the hour digits 18 to the minute digits 16. The space between it and the minute digits shows the portion of the hour remaining. Indicator 14 in the liquid crystal display shown moves from electrode to electrode in steps. All of the displayed steps can be retained if desired. Bar graph displays are available if preferred. Accuracy is supplied by the minute digits. LCD alphanumeric displays could be switched to seconds or calendar display if desired. This embodiment could be part of an ornamental bracelet with minimal impact on aesthetics due to its linear conformation. Fig. 2 is a plan view of a multiple display linear digital-analog wristwatch. The hour progress indicator 14 traverses as described for Fig. 1. The hour digits 18 step in sequence from top to bottom every twelve hours. The day 20 of the week traverses in a similar manner. The date is shown digitally below the day. The linear watch displays the progression of the week in an orderly uncluttered array. The simplicity and symmetry of the display equals that of conventional analog display. The linear displays shown are straight. They can be curved in an arc, an "S" shape, or free form for aesthetic reasons or for conformance with the watchcase. The reduction in space required is the same. Fig. 3 is a plan view of a multiple display linear digital-analog interactive wristwatch. The displays in this view are foreshortened because they are not parallel with the plane of the view. The time display 32 is readable even though it is foreshortened. The nontemporal display space 28 is clearly not needed for time display. Fig. 4 is a side view of the watch of Fig. 3. The time display 32 is on the periphery of the watch where it faces the wearer without turning a wrist. All of the displays are placed at 45 degrees. The angle chosen is optional. Fig. 5 is the wearer's view of the watch of Fig. 3. The bottom display shows the time display 32 with the analog hour progress indicator 14 traversing the space between the hour digit 18 and the minute digits 16. The simplicity of this time display is most apparent here. You have it if you separate the hours 18 from the minutes 16 in a conventional digital display and use the colon as the traversing hour progress indicator 14. The center display can be replaced with a keyboard containing the type of recessed pocket keys shown in Figures 11A and 11B. The nontemporal display 28 can be a calculator display. Both of these display areas could be combined to display aphorisms, epigrams, quips, poetry, etc. The dancers in the display shown appear at random - singly or in combinations. Their limbs move by switching electrodes in a LCD. The wearer can alter tempo and rhythm with the interactive control 52. Sports displays can be provided with interactive win or lose results. Fig. 6 is a plan view of a mechanical linear digital-analog wristwatch. The chronometric temporal display 48 is under a flip up cover 54. The analog hour progress indicator 14, an arc, is clearly visible as are the hour and minute digits 16 and 18. The peripherally located linear digital-analog display can be included as an additional feature on a conventional analog wristwatch. The center conventional display area could also be used to contain any of the following: a roulette wheel, dice, photos, pills, makeup, etc. The time display could be in a recess with the entire top surface covered with gems and engravings. Fig. 7 is the side view of the watch of Fig. 6 showing the peripherally located time display 32. The display is less exposed to damage and is therefore a better choice than conventional watches for those wearers who are physically active. A protective ridge or hood above the display can be added to further decrease the chance of damage. Fig. 8, the wearer's view of the watch of Fig. 6 shows the hour digit 18 centered in the display. The hour display 18 advances in steps of an hour. Several mechanisms are available to do this. The analog hour progress indicator 14 can visually standout by contrast and color from the background so that it can be read at a glance. The minute index mark 46 is used for accuracy. The mechanical drive for the coned disks bearing the time display 32 present no challenge for anyone familiar with mechanical time pieces. Fig. 9 is the preferred embodiment of the linear digital-analog interactive wristwatch. The keyboard 38 has the full alphabet, ten digits, and + - * x. Mode keys 40 can switch keys to different functions. Other mode keys can input and access storage, actuate remote storage, and set the time. The time display 32 in this plan view is foreshortened but still readable. The screen width can be increased and a much wider screen is possible if the watch is retained by two watchbands. Fig. 10 is a side view of the watch of Fig. 9. The time display 32 is located on the periphery of the watchcase facing the wearer. The watchband 26 shown would be custom fitted to the wearer. The data storage can also be contained in small packets attached to a "conventional watchband. The external connector receptacle 42 is shown. Fig. 11A and Fig. 11B show the recessed keys 36 of the watch of Fig. 9. The keys are designed to be depressed with a pointed probe inserted into the recess shown. The size of the keys is based on our ability to use pointed probes called pens and pencils. A pen or pencil can be put down on a line just made. The keys 36 shown are much larger than a line. Pens and pencils will not write on a highly polished surface. They could be used as the probe. Key identification 50 is located above the probe's contact point to prevent wear from decreasing legibility. The higher location is also more visible to the wearer. Keys 36 with more than one identification have dual functions which are activated with mode keys 40. There are forty input keys 36 shown and four mode keys. This provides the potential for one hundred and sixty different inputs. The interactive performance of the wearer with the watch during data processing is substantially enhanced with an adequate number of keys. The pointed probe and the recessed keys make it possible to have them. Data processing on a wristwatch is impractical without them. Fig. 12 shows the wearer's view of the time display 32 on the watch of Fig. 9. The analog hour progress indicator 14 is a series of dashes in this display. There is space above the dashes to momentarily show calendar data and seconds. While my description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of the embodiments thereof. Many other variations are possible. For example, the mechanical watch of Fig. 6 can have an LCD linear time display as described herein on the periphery facing the wearer. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims: What is claimed is: 1. A wristwatch comprising a time display and control means for controlling said time display, said time display comprising, A. a display which presents the current hour and minute in digits in response to said control means, and B. a linear hour progress display located within a longitudinal surround, said display including a substantially straight defined route having a beginning and an end with an indicator in it, said indicator starting at said beginning of said substantially straight route at the beginning of each hour and moving at an unchanging rate of speed to said end of said substantially straight route in the course of each hour, thereby continuously displaying the portion of each hour that has elapsed and the portion remaining in response to said control means. 2. The wristwatch of claim 1, further including a second linear display having a beginning and an end showing hour digits sequentially displayed in steps that proceed from said beginning of said linear display to said end of said display thereby continuously displaying the current hour and the portion of the day that has elapsed and the portion that remains. 3. The wristwatch of claim 1, wherein said linear hour progress display has one raised longitudinal edge to make said display visible to the wearer without turning a wrist. 4. The wristwatch of claim 1, wherein said linear hour progress display is located on a periphery of said wristwatch at an angle so that it is visible to the wearer without turning a wrist. 5. The wristwatch of claim 1, further including a data display screen with a plurality of actuating keys adjacent to said linear hour progress display thereby providing services useful to the wearer on the vacant display space. 6. The wristwatch of claim 5, further including a recessed pocket in each actuating key for retaining the pointed end of a probe used to depress them whereby many small adjoining keys fit in a compact space. 7. The wristwatch of claim 6, further including identification symbols on said keys are located above said probes contact point, whereby contact wear will not affect legibility. The wristwatch of claim 1 , wherein the digital time display is located in line with the linear hour progress display thereby providing a linear digital-analog time display. RECTIFIED SHEET (RULE 91)

Inventors: ROSENBERG BURTON A, ROSENBERG, BURTON, A.
Applicants: ROSENBERG BURTON A, ROSENBERG, BURTON, A.
Application year: 1994
Main classification: G04G9
IPC codes: G04C3, G04G9